Generator



Dec. 8, 1936. G. A. F. WlNcKLER 2,063,070

GENERATOR Filed Feb. 26, 1934 2 sheets-Sheet 2 F' Z v 1y /9 #ttor/72j.

Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GENERATOR sachusettsApplication February 26, 1934, Serial No. 712,909

4 Claims.

The invention consists of an electric generator connected to an electriccircuit and lamp especially adapted for lanterns, having a zinc casingwhich serves as a negative electrode of the generator, and a positiveelectrode construction with a fr ee space between them which allows theelectrodes to be immersed in saline solution for generating cur- .rentto energize the electric circuitA and lamp. The electrolyte is theremovable link of the generator which allows the generator to beimmersed in saline solution to generate current for the lamp and whenthe electrolyte is removed, it disconnects the electrodes of thegenerator which prevents any action between them and will maintaininnite shelf-life and automatically depolarize by aeration.

The invention further consists yof details of construction including aspecial casing adapted to receive a plurality of generating cells byadapting the cells to the casing. The casing and cells are provided withholes for admitting and removing electrolytic iiuid and also a drain forremoving the surplus electrolytic iluid during the lling operation,whichwould destroy the unitary function of the generatory 'I'he objectA ofthe invention is to provide a novel generator structure of sufficientpower within a limited space. Another object of the invention is toprovide a means for admitting the electrolytic uid to the generator whenneeded and removing when not in use.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a casing for holdingseveral individual cells which would increase the voltage of the currentsupplied by the electrolytic fluid and renewed at will and at the sametime allow the electrolytic iiuid to beY drained off so it will notdestroy the unitary action#y of the generator.

Referring to the figures:v Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the generatorwith the container in section showing the improved construction.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the container with the lens in section. l

Fig. 3 isv a partial elevation of the positive pole member showing thecloth holder secured in position. Fig. is a planview of the same.

Fig. is a fragmentary view of the positive pole construction. Fig. 6 isa cross-section through the container. Fig. 7 is an elevation ofthegenerator with the three units in position. l

Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the casing above the units. I

Fig. 9 is a partial inverted plan view of the cover with the circularconductor in position.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the novel construction forelectrical generators, especially adapted for riding-lights commonlyused on boats. The electrical generator A is provided with a container Imade of zinc which serves as a. negative pole. Concentric with thecasing I0 is a positive pole LI having a free space' I2 between them toallow both poles to be im mersed in the electrolytic uid I3 when thecontainer Ill is lled with saline solution or waters of the seas.

The casing I0 is provided with a bottom I4 and a cover I5, the latterbeing adapted to support thepositive pole and the lamp I6. Formedintegral with the casing I0 are' lugs I1 and I8 in which the handleI9'is supported for carrying or supporting the generator' The cover I5also supports\the lens 2li` for din the light from the lamp I6. The lens20'is' held rigidly in position on the cover I by acla'mp IL which inturn is secured in position by thes'crews22.

The generator i" pported Aby the legs \23. When the unitis'ilsdotherwise,v the legs are not used. 'I'he structure without thelegs and handle is a generating cclljv of'which several of them canbeplaced in series to increase the volume of current, but when used singlythe handle I9 and the legs 23 complete the structure.

Formed integral with the cover I5 is an annular sleeve 24 which is linedwith an insulating sleeve 25. The sleeves serve as a bearing forsupporting the positive pole II and -insulate it from the negative poleI0. yThe lamp I6 is supported in the socket 26 made of convolutions ofwire, the ends of which are directly secured to the covers `I 5 and 4Iboth of which are connected into the electrical circuit. The bottom partof the lamp is in contact with the positive pole and the-negative poleis connected to the lamp and forms' a circuit for lighting the lamp. Thepositlvepole is provided with a central column 21 having shoulders 28and 29 at both ends which makes them smaller in diameter. 'I'he upperend is securely fasfcause no other material could ,be used withoutinterfering with the electrical operation of the generator.

Formed'in the edges of the discs SIII and 3| are grooves 32 and 33adapted to receive the edges of the cloth bag 34 which is tied to thediscs 3U and 3| by strings 35 and 36, the whole structure insures thatthe ground carbon 31 will be held securely in position against theaction of the electrolytic fluid. The ground carbon increases thepolarization area of the negative electrode due to the fact that theelectrolyte is permitted to flow through it which insures a maximumpolarizationarea Within a minimum space with a correspondingdepolarization area.

The ground carbon dissipates the hydrogen in the electrolytic fluid toincrease the polarization of the positive pole and also increase therate of speed of depolarization. By using ground carbon an immersed areaof polarization and depolarization is obtained to give a maximum powerin a minimum space.

Formed in the cover I5 are holes 38 and 39 which allow the container tobe lled with saline solution or waters of the seas at the will of theoperator. For example: If the lantern is used for a riding-light onboats, it is let down into the waters of the seas and filled with thefluid which will light the lamp, after which it is hungin the rigging asa warning light. When it is taken down the electrolytic fluid is emptiedout of the container which re1eases.all strain 0n the generator which isalways accessible without due work or attention with an assured maximumlight-life by increasing the polarization and depolarization area and aninnite shelf-life as a result of the free space allowing aeration makingthe lantern always ready for instant use.

These generating units can be used singly or in numbers. The drawingsshow in Figs. 7 and 8 three units A, B, and C and are mounted in aseparate container 40 made of insulating material which completelyseparates the units electrically. The container 40 is provided with acover 4I located in position. Supported on the cover 4I is a lamp I6 andthe lens 20 which are supported on the cover in the same manner as theyare secured to the individual units, and the several generators areconnected in series to the lamp. The container is provided with lugs I1and I8 the same as the individual units for pivotedly supporting thehandle I9. The lugs I1 and i8 forming a part of the individual unitsrest in the recesses 42 and 43 formed in the casing which permits thegenerators to always register in the same position. The recesses 42 and43 open into the chamber 44 in which is located the units vA, B, and Cand are connected in series by the wires 45, 46, and 4'I. The wires inturn are connected to the spring contact 48 and contact post 49. Thespring contact 48 wipes against the contact member 5D. forming a part ofthe lamp socket 26. The lamp socket is made of wire in helicalconvolutions, the ends of which extend through the cover 40 and are bentback in circular form to allow the cover to be placed in position withthe surety that the lamp circuit will always be connected up. In otherwords, no matter in which position the cover is in, the contacts willalways be in position.

52 to allow the electrolytic fluid to enter the container to bedistributed to the several electric units A, B, and C in the usualmanner. The unit under conditions known as shelflife, hasl noelectrolytic action and is free from deterioration because no current isgenerated, due to the fact that there is no electrolytic fluid in thegenerator. When it is used the container is dipped in the waters of theseas, or filled with saline solution which generates the current andlights the lamp. When several units are used they must be separat-edelectrically to increase the volume of the current by connecting theseveral generators in series to each other, all of which are connectedto the lamp circuit. When the lantern with the several units are usedthe dipping process is the 'same until all the units are lled withelectrolytic fluid which would flood the space above them and destroytheir function. To obviate this, a drain passage 53 is provided whichallows the surplus fluid to pass off thereby separating each unit fromthe others.

In operation the generator is filled with electrolytic fluid whichcompletes the current generating process and the generator will providelight for approximately eighteen hours. When the fluid is taken out ofthe generator it will be regenerated by aeration which gives infiniteshelf-life in intermittent service limited only by ple voltaic cellconsisting of a container and having xed electrodes and having a freespace between said electrodes intended to eliminate switches and atranslating element permanently and directly connected electrically tothe eleotrodes of the cell, consisting of the steps of energizing thecircuit at will by filling the container from the exterior, withoutdisturbance of the relative parts of the apparatus, with a fresh liquidelectrolyte, and deenergizing and breaking the circuit at will byemptying the electrolyte from the container without disturbance of-therelative parts of the apparatus, removal of the electrolytebeing'accompanied by the elimination of the electro-potential gradientAbetween the electrodes, energization of the circuit being attended byat least partial polarization of the cell, and exposing the electrodesto air following removal of the electrolyte from the cell to depolarizesaid electrodes, whereby, byi virtue of this control there is obtainedan infinite shelf-life to the source of energy for the circuit. l

2. A method of controlling and energizing a voltaic cell circuit, whichcircuit includes a simple volatic cell consisting of a container 'andhaving xed electrodes and having a free space between said electrodesintended to eliminate switches and a'translating element permanently anddirectly connected electrically to the electrodes of the cell,consisting of the steps of energizing the circuit at will by lling thecontainer from the exterior, without disturbance of the relative partsof the apparatus, with a fresh saline solution, and deenergizing andbreaking the circuit at will by emptying the saline solution from thecontainer without disturbance of the relative parts of the apparatus,removal of the saline solution being accompanied by the elimination ofthe electro-potential gradient between the electrodes, energization ofthe circuit being attended by at least partial polarization of the cell,and exposing the electrodes to air iollowing removal of the salinesolution from the cell to depolarize said electrodes, whereby,l byvirtue of this control there is obtained an innite shelf-life to thesource of energy for the circuit. I

3. A primary cell having an electrolytic link removable and replaceableat will and consisting solely of a casing serving as a negativeelectrode and capable of retaining a liquid and having an imperviousbottom, a top for said casing, a positive electrode within and spaced ininsulatedv manner from said casing in such manner as to provide a freespace therebetween, said assembly of casing and top having at least oneopening therein disposed above the bottom end of said positiveelectrode, and a liquid electrolyte in said casing which may be pouredinto or out of said casing through said opening at will simply bytipping the container to energize or deenergize the cell, and todepolarize the cell by aeration as an incident to the removal of theelectrolyte, the removability of the electrolyte permitting infiniteshelf-life of the cell.

4. A primary cell having an electrolytic link removable and replaceableat will and consisting solely of a'casing serving as a negativeelectrode and capable of retaining a liquid and having an imperviousbottom, a top for said casing, a positive electrode within and spaced ininsulated manner from said casing in such manner as to provide a freespace therebetween, said assembly of casing and top having at least oneopening therein disposed above the bottom end of said positiveelectrode, and a saline solution in said casing which may be poured intoor out of said casing through said opening at will simply by tipping thecontainer to energize or deenergize the cell, and to depolarize the cellby aeration as an incident to the removal of the saline solution, theremovability of the saline solution permitting infinite shelf-life ofthe cell.

- GUNNAR A. F. VVINCKLER.

